Dare to Do

Here's a quote from a book I'm reading... Wild at Heart by John Eldredge.. Basically urging us to be doers and not just critics... to dare to do rather than fear the what if's...

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat.

Teddy Roosevelt

Focus and Purpose

When people recognize your potential, they will make demands on your life. How do you choose what you will commit yourself to? Simple answer, your purpose will determine your commitments. In a post on another blog I wrote "Purpose is so powerful that it constrains you to do certain things that are in line with it...  it informs your actions and plans". In other words, your purpose in life will determine the activities that you will be involved in.

From the life of Jesus, we see how purposeful he was. In John 7:1-9 we read of how He didn't go to Jerusalem to participate in a feast because He felt the timing was not right. In that portion, He makes a very profound statement, "My time is not yet present, but your time is always ready..." (John 7:6). While other people will jump at every opportunity that will come their way, a person of purpose will first assess whether this opportunity is in line with their purpose and comes at the right time.

I have been offered many opportunities to serve in the church and there was a time I would spread myself too thinly that I was not efficient in the activities I did. I wanted to help wherever I could and use my gifts for service. From such I experience I have discovered that it is better for one to restrict themselves by submitting under one vision that is in line with their purpose and to faithfully serve under that vision. It is only in this way that one can grow. Today it is easy for me to say no to some of the offers I get because I know what my purpose is and I know where I am to serve. Basically, my purpose now determines what I am to be involved in, that way I am more effective and I can easily measure my progress.

So if you want to be focused in life, first start by discovering your purpose. To do this, you will have to go back to your Creator, seek Him and ask Him to reveal His purpose for creating you. Once you find this out, start working on building yourself up in that area and submit yourself to a vision that is in line with that purpose.

Grace and peace